Best Cruise to Alaska 2025

The best cruise to Alaska – is there really one that is the absolute best? It’s different for everyone, but there is a best cruise for you.

You want to cruise to Alaska? What an incredible place. I’ve been lucky enough to cruise to Alaskan hundreds of times (literally!) as both a cruise ship crew member and as a passenger over the past 13 years. A cruise is a great way to experience the Last Frontier.

Not all cruises to Alaska are created equal though and the best cruise to Alaska is different for everyone! Some are traveling with families, others want a luxury cruise experience, some might want to do extensive backpacking, and others still want to do a land/sea journey including a visit to Denali National Park.

We’ve looked through all of the options to present the best options for each type of traveler.

Best Cruise to Alaska 2025: Quick Guide

There’s a lot of cruises to pick from in Alaska, but here are my top picks:

• Holland America Line – Best Glacier Viewing
• Royal Caribbean – Best “Taste of Alaska” for multi-generational travel
• Disney – Best “Taste of Alaska” Family Cruise
• Seabourn – Best Luxury Cruise
• Holland America Line – Best Bucket List Alaskan Cruise
• Princess Cruises – Best Alaska Cruise from California

Best Cruise to Alaska 2025

In Alaska you will find eagles and glaciers, whales and bears, as well as all of the jewelry shops and tourist shops you could ever need.

Picking out which Alaskan cruise is a balance of the best itinerary, onboard cruise experience, and budget. It is figuring out if you want to see the inside passage, or maybe visiting Glacier Bay is on your bucket list. Maybe you want some small ports mixed in or if you want to see the tourist side of Alaska, brought about by the million plus cruise visitors.

Which cruise line is rated best for Alaska?

For your mainstream, big name cruise lines Holland America Line and Princess are rated highest for cruising to Alaska. Holland America has been cruising to Alaska for more than 75 years and consistently has more than half of their fleet of ships in Alaska in the summertime.

Princess has also proven to be a leader in cruising in Alaska, often deploying 6 or 7 ships to this region and offering roundtrip itineraries from the usual ports of Vancouver and Seattle, but also San Francisco.

Holland America and Princess are also among only a few lines that have permission to visit Glacier Bay National Park. For a full overview of which cruise lines go to Glacier Bay take a look at this post.

However, which cruise line is best in Alaska is really dependent on what you are looking for in a cruise vacation. The best cruise line for you might be on an expedition ship, like those of UnCruise Adventures, or maybe a National Geographic cruise.

Or, if you want to go the luxury direction you really can’t go wrong with any of the luxury lines and I would focus more on which itinerary is best for you. While I am partial to Seabourn having sailed on them many times, I think some of Silversea’s itineraries are a step above.

Which Cruise Lines Cruise to Alaska?

Nearly all of the major cruise lines are sailing to Alaska including:

• Contemporary/Premium Lines:
  • Carnival
  • Celebrity
  • Disney
  • Holland America Line
  • Norwegian
  • Princess
  • Royal Caribbean
• Upper Premium/Luxury/Ultra-Luxury Lines
  • Note – some of these luxury lines also offer expedition cruises
    • American Cruise Lines
    • Cunard
    • Hapag Lloyd
    • Oceania Cruises
    • Ponant
    • Regent Seven Seas
    • Seabourn
    • Scenic
    • Silversea
    • Viking Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
• Expedition Cruise Lines:
  • Hurtigruten
  • National Geographic
  • UnCruise

This list may make you think that you need to take a luxury cruise to go to Alaska as so many luxury lines sail to this beautiful part of the world. Many of these luxury lines will only have one ship sailing in the region for the summer, whereas the other lines will typically have 5 or more ships in the region.

The good news is, as Alaska is more popular than ever whichever cruise line you have found that you like for you and your family, they likely will sail to Alaska.

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Pricing for Alaskan Cruises 2025

Best Cruise to Alaska 2025

Let’s break down which cruises are the best to Alaska in 2025. As we’re talked about, the best is entirely subjective and is different for everyone. It’s really about what is best for you and your family.

I am biased towards cruises that have at least one day visiting a glacier – whether that be Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm, College Fjord, or even Tracy Arm. I think one day onboard where the incredible scenery outside is the destination of the day is worth it. The glaciers are incredible and often the wildlife you see on those days is also incredible.

Best Alaska Cruise For Families

1. Anthem of the Seas
   • 🇺🇸 One week out of Seattle
     • 🧸 Options for babies and toddlers
     • 🛳️ Modern ships, great for multi-generation
     • 🛳️ Big ships so expect some lines and crowding
     • 👎🏻 does not include a day of viewing a glacier
2. Disney Wonder
   • 🇺🇸 One week roundtrip out of Seattle
     • 🧸 Options for babies and toddlers
     • 🧊 Does visit various glaciers
     • 💲💲 Very expensive for a non-luxury/all-inclusive line
     • 👎🏻 Older ship, does not offer some amenities like a casino
3. Norwegian Joy
   • 🇺🇸 9 Night roundtrip out of Seattle
     • 🫖 Longer itinerary gives you a longer stay in ports including Victoria!
     • ⭐⭐⭐ Visits Glacier Bay National Park
     • 👎🏻 Less programming/nursery options for babies of toddlers

There are a lot of folks that automatically assume Disney Cruise Line is the best cruise line out there for families. They do deliver an incredible cruise product and if your budget allows, you can’t go wrong with a cruise on Disney in Alaska.

The itinerary is decent with one day of glacier viewing, plus Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan – but, Disney comes at a very hefty price tag and really isn’t for everyone.

The least expensive cruise to Alaska on Disney for 2025 starts at $1,810 per person for a one week cruise in an inside cabin (and that’s not all inclusive). Additionally, depending on what your group wants Disney doesn’t offer a casino. And, the ship that Disney has sailing in Alaska is on the older side of things. If you like new ships this isn’t it.

This is why I would tend to put Royal Caribbean as an overall good choice for families in Alaska. They have two of their fairly new Quantum-class ships in Alaska for the summer of 2025. The Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. These ships are designed to be a destination in themselves and really cater to multi-generational travel.

The big downfall is that neither of these ships offer itineraries that feature a day of glacier viewing. The onboard experience and amenities are plentiful though and if you’re loyal to Royal you won’t go wrong with the Anthem of the Seas sailing including Sitka and Skagway.

While Norwegian is a great option, Royal Caribbean edges them out for me because Royal Caribbean offers nursery space and programming for babies and under 3 year olds. Norwegian does offer a play space but no drop off options for the littlest littles. This isn’t a deal breaker (and isn’t for me as I sail with my baby without a nursery onboard all the time), but it’s something to consider.

Norwegian Cruise Line does have cruises that go to Glacier Bay and thus this could end up being the top choice for your family as they do have a huge amount of onboard amenities and really have some great multi-family stateroom and solo stateroom options.

Best Alaska Cruise For First Timers

1. 10 Night Inside Passage with Glacier Bay on Caribbean Princess
   • 🇨🇦 10 Night roundtrip out of Vancouver
     • 🏔️ Five Alaskan Ports
     • 🏔️ Glacier Bay National Park
     • 🇨🇦 Plus extended stop in Victoria (4:00pm-11:00pm)
     • 🇽 Slightly older ship
2. Oceania “Spirit of Alaska” on Riviera
   • 🇺🇸 10 Night roundtrip out of Seattle
     • 🧊 One glacier visit Cruising Holkham Bay
     • 🏔️ 5 Alaskan Ports
     • 🐋 Even though it’s roundtrip Seattle it includes cruising the Inside Passage (this is SUPER rare)
     • 🍷 Excellent value for money luxury cruise

The 10 night cruise on Caribbean Princess tops my list as the best cruise for first timers. The itinerary is superb, roundtrip from Vancouver which makes it easy for those that are maybe a little less comfortable with longer travel.

This itinerary will see you cruising the Inside Passage and the longer itinerary gives you longer days in the ports, as well as sailing in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park, plus Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Straight Point, Sitka, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Best Luxury Cruise to Alaska

1. 14 Night Alaska Glacier & Fjords Inside Passage on Seabourn Quest
   • 🇨🇦 14 Night roundtrip out of Vancouver
     • 🏔️ Seven Alaskan Ports
     • 🏔️ Hubbard Glacier, Scenic Cruising Misty Fjords
     • 🇨🇦 Great Inside Passage Cruising
     • 🍷 All Suite Ship, All Inclusive
2. 14 Night Alaska Silversea : Silver Nova
   • 🇨🇦 14 Night roundtrip out of Vancouver
     • 🧊 Scenic cruising Hubbard Glacier
     • 🏔️ 10 Alaskan Ports
     • 🍷 All Suite Ship, All Inclusive

I am biased because I’ve had the opportunity to cruise with Seabourn four times now – including in Alaska. They offered an incredible ultra-luxury cruise experience and I love the itinerary. It’s a great combination of scenic cruising, small ports, as well as some of the bigger more commercialized ports.

If you want to experience the nature of Alaska while enjoying champagne and caviar? This is the cruise for you.

Best Glacier Cruise to Alaska

⚓ 7 Night Glacier Discovery Cruise Holland America Noordam

I love this itinerary as it features two days of glacier viewing – plus, an extra opportunity while in Juneau. It visits Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park. Absolutely incredible.

This is the southbound itineraries, going from Whittier to Vancouver. The northbound itinerary also features two days of glacier gazing, but trades Hubbard Glacier for College Fjord.

Best Bucket List Alaska Cruise

1. 28 Night Alaska Solstice Arctic Circle Cruise
   • 🇺🇸 28 Night roundtrip out of Seattle
     • 🏔️ Eleven Alaskan Ports
     • 🏔️ Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Prince William Sound, and Tracy Arm
2. Princess Cruises 22-Day Ultimate Alaska Solstice
   • 🇺🇸 22 Night roundtrip out of San Francisco, California
     • 🧊 Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
     • 🏔️ 9 Alaskan Ports
     • 🇨🇦 Full day visits in Vancouver and Victoria

This Holland America itinerary is just a “wow” of Alaskan exploration. I LOVE this itinerary. Yes, it is 4 weeks long, but it is absolutely worth it.

With 11 ports in Alaska, plus scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Prince William Sound, and Tracy Arm. Plus, crossing of the Arctic Circle past Nome.

If you’ve wanted to cruise to Alaska and it’s been on your bucket list – this is your bucket list cruise.

FAQ’s

When is the best time to see whales?

Luckily most of the cruise ship season corresponds to the best whale watching! The best whale watching is considered to be between May and September. This means if you’re really set on seeing whales you should avoid the very early season (late April) or very late season (October) cruises for the best whale watching opportunities.

From personal experience I’ve had great luck seeing whales throughout the season but definitely feels like activity is higher in the middle of the season (June, July, August). I’ve been on several whale watching tours in Juneau, Sitka (actually a sea otter tour but saw whales), as well as lots right near the ship in Icy Straight Point. Depending on itinerary you may be able to go on a whale watching tour in Victoria, British Columbia for orcas.

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Pricing for Alaskan Cruises 2025

What part of the ship is best for an Alaskan cruise?

First and foremost – a balcony. Get a balcony when sailing in Alaska. It is cooler outside but it is worth it to see the whales, sea otters, eagles, and glaciers as you sail through this incredible place.

The next recommendation I would have is less about sailing in Alaska and more about being onboard in general. The middle of the ship on a deck that is sandwiched between two other decks that have staterooms tends to be a nice quiet place where you will feel very little of the motion of the ocean.

What is the cheapest month to cruise to Alaska?

The least expensive month to cruise to Alaska is typically September. Every once in awhile there is a deal in May as well and if you are really bargain hunting you’ll want to plan for a last minute deal.

Can you see the Northern Lights?

Yes! Northern Lights were seen so much this year. There is no guarantee that you will see them and on the off chance that they are visible while you are in Alaska you’ll need to be willing to stay up late. You’ll have a better chance if you take a cruise that heads further north (think Anchorage area). There is also a slightly higher probability of seeing them around the Autumnal equinox in September than over the summer months.

If you want to know more about seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska – take a look at the Geology Institutes page that gauges Aurora activity.

Which passage is the best on an Alaskan cruise?

You’ll hear the phrase “Inside Passage” talked about a lot and featured on a lot of itineraries when cruising in Alaska.

Let me be clear on this – to get true inside passage cruising you need to cruise out of Vancouver, and even then not ever ship offers it. If you are on a cruise out of Seattle you will not get the experience of cruising the Inside Passage (no matter what your brochure says after leaving Ketchikan). It’s the difference of a couple hours of it versus an entire day.

The Inside Passage is an incredible stretch of water surrounded by mountains and with an abundance of wildlife along Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

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Pricing for Alaskan Cruises 2025

What Types of Alaskan Cruises Are There?

• One week Seattle round trip
• One week Vancouver round trip
• One week from Vancouver to either Seward or Anchorage and it’s opposite, from Seward or Anchorage back to Vancouver
  • These cruises are often paired with land journeys exploring Denali National Park
  • You can also go between Vancouver and Skagway (or the reverse) to do a 3 or 4 night cruise followed by a land journey.
• Longer than one week, roundtrip out of either Vancouver or Seattle
• Longer than one week, roundtrip out of either San Francisco or Los Angeles
• More immersive journeys offered by expedition or luxury lines can have more varied itineraries including Vancouver to Juneau or Juneau roundtrip

So, What’s the Best Cruise to Alaska ?

I say there is a best Alaskan cruise for everyone because there is! Alaska is truly beautiful. However, as you should with any cruise, do your research and make sure you are going on the right one for you!

Remember, if you don’t like being around kids, going on a one week Alaskan cruise in July is the wrong choice. If you want to do a lot of scenic cruising (like the inside passage for instance) and you chose the one week out of Seattle it is the wrong choice. I say these things because I have met the passengers that are onboard lamenting these very facts.

Or, hating the rain but choosing any Alaskan cruise in late September! While it might rain any of the year, in September your chance of rain goes up, so yet again, due to a lack of research, it is the wrong choice.

There is an Alaskan cruise that is the right fit for you! Do your research and get out there and make friends with a whale!

Conclusion: Best Cruise to Alaska 2025

The best cruise to Alaska is going to be different for everyone. It depends on what you want to see, how much time you have, and also what kind of cruise is best for you and your family!

For some people that will be exploring with Lindblad and National Geographic, for others it will be a luxury cruise with Seabourn or Silversea, and for others it will be a family cruise on Disney. There are so many choices, it’s really all about finding the right fit for your family.

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Pricing for Alaskan Cruises 2025